Strindberg: Painter and Photographer [Hardcover]

Mr. Per Hedstrom (Author), Douglas Feuk (Author), Erik Hook (Author), Agneta Lalander (Author), Per Hedstrom (Author), Goran Soderstrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

The literary works of August Strindberg are admired throughout the world, but few people outside his native Scandinavia are aware of his accomplishments as a painter and photographer. This book, written by eminent authorities on Scandinavian art, is the first to bring Strindberg's dramatic and highly original artistic works to an English-speaking audience. The book begins by examining Strindberg's paintings, photographs, drawings and decorated manuscripts and discussing the importance of pictorial arts to other areas of Strindberg's oeuvre. It then focuses on Strindberg's photography, relates the experimental photographs he took during the 1890s to the natural philosophy he developed during the same period, describes his relations to artistic circles in Paris and examines his influence on the Swedish painter Carl Larsson. Richly illustrated in full colour, the book sheds new light on the achievements of this innovative and deeply troubled genius.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

August Strindberg was one of the most talented personalities of world literature. A bohemian who saw himself as a social outcast, this talented Swedish writer of numerous plays, novels, short stories, novellas, and fairy tales exhibited a genius and fury that was at once intense, sensitive, and mesmerizing. But that was Strindberg the writer. As a painter and photographer, he was at best mediocre. Despite its many superb reproductions, this well-written book only reinforces the suspicion that Strindberg the visual artist would not have earned attention were it not for the talent and literary prowess of Strindberg the writer. All the endeavors of the five authors distinguished researchers and authorities on Scandinavian art still cannot disperse that feeling. The book is, however, the first English-language work dealing with the writer exclusively in his role as painter and photographer and could thus be useful to students and scholars of Strindberg's life and work. Edward K. Owusu-Ansah, CUNY Coll. of Staten Island Lib., NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

[A] beautiful volume. . . a comprehensive survey of Strindberg as a pictorial artist. . . fascinating. . . Highly recommended. -- Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300091877
• ISBN-13: 978-0300091878
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Scandinavian

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew?, November 15, 2001

By 

Dr. J. Adam Shaw (Glen Ellen, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strindberg: Painter and Photographer (Hardcover)

This book is a revelation. It shows that the genius of Strindberg extends beyond the literary and makes itself evident in the visual as well. The paintings in this book are amazing; landscapes made over a hundred years ago that are heavily impastoed and luminous- the quality is almost sculptural- and border on pure abstraction. It's difficult to compare them to anyone else's work (though they do have a quality that recalls Turner in a darker mode). These are paintings that would thrill you if you walked into a contemporary gallery. The book also has a generous selection of Strindberg's photographs and photographic experiments. It's a must have for painters and lovers of modern art.